Overview Quiz

Answer the questions below then record them in the form below the quiz. Submit them to see your score.

1.

In what way were the pre-Socratic Greek philosophers different from thinkers in earlier times?

1. They were taught by Plato and Aristotle.
2. They had a tradition of science that dated back thousands of years.
3. They predicted that the sun was the center of the universe.
4. They didn't rely on mythological explanations.

2.

Which word below best describes how Newton's ideas about the universe are characterized?

1. Geocentric
2. Mechanistic
3. Mythic
4. Aesthetic

3.

The most important theory used by contemporary scientists to explain the nature of the universe is Newtonian mechanics.

1. True
2. False

4.

The philosopher of science, Thomas Kuhn, felt that paradigm shifts prevented scientific progress.

1. True
2. False

5.

Choose the best answer from the options below. In his famous book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas Kuhn argued that:

1. Revolutions in science are prompted by anomalous research findings.
2. Scientific revolutions are based on the work of scientists over many centuries as new theories are based on previous work.
3. Science has a social component.
4. Two of the above are true.
5. All of the above are true.

6.

So that lab work in a science classroom has a close association with the work of actual practicing scientists, the nature of the labs you will perform in this course will primarily be:

1. Data-based
2. Inquiry-based
3. Calculation-based
4. Lecture-based

7.

The lab activities in this course support the College Board's definition of scientific knowledge. That definition does not include which of the following?

1. There is a definite method followed by scientists when conducting experiments.
2. Competition between rival theories allows for scientific progress.
3. Culture can play a role in scientific conclusions.
4. Scientific knowledge is always evolving but it can be utilized with a high degree of confidence.

8.

Which of the following is a valid scientific measurement of the pressure on the gauge shown below?

1. 3.6 psi
2. 4 psi
3. 3.65 psi
4. 3.75 psi

9.

With the rules of significant figures in mind, which of the following is correct when two measurements of length are used in a calculation?

1. 5.0 m + 4 m = 9.0 m
2. 5.0 m x 4 m = 20.0 m²
3. 5.0 m - 4 m = 1 m
4. 5.0 m³ / 4 m² = 1.25 m

10.

When performing an experiment a student is checking to see how changing variable A will affect variable B. Which of the following characterizes variable A?

1. Direct
2. Indirect
3. Dependent
4. Independent

11.

A hyperbolic curve on graph indicates which relationship between the measured variables?

1. Direct
2. Indirect
3. Quadratic
4. Inverse

12.

Which of the following important issues should be considered when performing lab activities is this course?

1. Keeping a neat, organized, and complete lab notebook is an essential part of the learning process.
2. Lab safety is of utmost importance in every lab. Students must always perform labs with "safety first" in mind.
3. University officials may ask to examine a lab notebook to ensure the proper completion of lab activities.
4. All of the above.
5. None of the above.